A major fire broke out yesterday afternoon around 4:00 p.m. at Freedom Storage, located in the 500 block of South Gateway Avenue in Rockwood, Tennessee. Heavy black smoke billowed high into the sky, visible for miles, after a blaze started in one of the storage barns housing RVs and quickly spread to others.

According to Rockwood Fire Chief Matt Crabtree, his department’s units responded promptly but quickly realized they would need mutual aid. Assistance arrived from the Harriman Fire Department, West Roane County Fire Department, and EMA personnel. Crews encountered heavy fire upon arrival and fought the blaze under extreme cold conditions, while contending with small explosions at the scene.

Chief Crabtree, who spoke with the facility owner, reported that one individual—who stored his RV there—was working on his personal vehicle when the fire ignited. The person attempted to extinguish it but was unsuccessful and sustained injuries. He was transported by ambulance to Roane Medical Center and then airlifted to UT Medical Center in Knoxville, where he was listed in stable condition as of the latest update.

Traffic on Gateway Avenue near the site was temporarily halted to allow firefighters to stretch hoses across the roadway to a hydrant. The exact number of vehicles and personal items destroyed has not yet been determined, but Chief Crabtree estimated that around eight RVs were affected or destroyed, along with the building itself.

Fortunately, no firefighters were injured. Chief Crabtree expressed gratitude to all the assisting agencies for their help in battling this significant fire in Rockwood on Sunday afternoon.